Pumpkins: Great gourds are all-American

4:32 PM,
Oct. 11, 2013

Pumpkins were ready to be picked on a sunny October day in the pumpkin patch at Honey Haven Farm, Ashland.

Written by

Todd Hill
CentralOhio.com

In this day of invasive species, with exotic beetles chomping away at our prized shade trees and strange Asian carp jumping into boats, we can take pride in the fact that one of our most popular symbols of autumn, the pumpkin, is as American as apple pie.

More American, actually. Apples had to be brought to this continent by European settlers in the 1660s, but pumpkins were already here. They were among the culinary mainstays introduced to the pilgrims by native Americans, and had a place on the table at the second Thanksgiving in 1623, along with various kinds of squash.